Harmanpreet Kaur smashed a career-best 171 not out to lead India to a massive 281 for four against Australia in the semi-final of the ICC Women's World Cup, in Derby on Thursday.
A side strain did nothing to stop the Indian vice-captain, whose brilliant knock off 115 balls helped India put up their highest ever total against the Southern Stars in a match that has been curtailed to 42 overs a side due to rain.
Arguably the best ODI innings by an Indian cricketer, Harmanpreet's third ODI century included 20 fours and as many as seven sixes.
This is also the second highest individual score in ODIs for India, behind Deepti Sharma's 188 not out against South Africa earlier in 2017.
The milestone from 51 to 100 was reached in 26 balls while Kaur raced to 150 from 101 in just 17 balls.
After a dry run during the better part of the league stage, India's most sought after T20 cricketer stepped up just when it mattered the most. She scored a useful 60 against New Zealand in the virtual quarter-final and upped the ante like never before on Thursday.
She hit the troika of left-arm spinner Jess Jonasen (0/63 in 7 overs), off-break bowler Ashleigh Gardner (1/43 in 8 overs) and leg-spinner Kirsten Beans (1/49 in 8 overs) with utter disdain.
Her footwork against the spinners was exemplary as she would repeatedly come down the track to loft them in the arc between long-on and deep mid-wicket.
Though she seemed in some discomfort with side strain, Kaur did not deter her from targeting the on-side as a whopping 137 runs was added in 13.4 overs along with Deepti Sharma (25) for fourth wicket.
Such was her focus that once she scampered home for a double to complete her hundred, she was seen shouting at Deepti after she flung her helmet in disgust.
She regained her composure, said sorry to a teary-eyed junior and like a woman on mission, completely annihilated the opposition bowlers.
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